Views Of The NC500 & Orkney

Itinerary:

Wednesday
Depart Leyland at 08.30hrs for our journey north to the Angus Hotel in Blaigowrie with a suitable lunch stop en-route. Arrive to a warm welcome while your case is taken to your room.

Thursday
Check out of our overnight hotel following an early breakfast to continue our Scottish journey, travel through the Cairngorms National Park to Inverness, the start of our Scenic NC500 journey through the romantic area known as Easter Ross, an area blessed with a fabulous Pictish past, continue across the Dornoch Firth to enjoy commanding views before continuing to Dunrobin Castle and Gardens on the east coast of the Northern Highlands overlooking the Moray Firth. Here we make a stop to enjoy a visit to the Jewel in the Crown of the Highlands, The Castle, which resembles a French chateâu with its towering conical spires, has seen the architectural influences of Sir Charles Barry, who designed London's Houses of Parliament, and Scotland's own Sir Robert Lorimer, this is one of Britain's oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 1300s, home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland. The gardens at Dunrobin are beautiful with inspiration taken from the gardens at the Palace of Versailles. Continue our NC500 journey along the coast into Caithness, pass through historical sites like Helmsdale and Brora, head inland from the coast road passing the vast wind farms of the A9 with a photo opportunity along the way, before arriving at the Castletown Hotel in Castletown, Thurso, the most northerly town of Mainland Scotland and our home for the next three nights. Arrive to a warm Scottish welcome while your case is taken to your room.

Friday
This morning following breakfast take a scenic ferry from the mainland at Scrabster to Stromness on Orkney where we meet our local guide who will join us on the coach for a day excursion on Orkney Mainland. Today begins with a visit to one of Orkneys most loved attractions, The Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm, constructed by Italian Prisoners of War who were transported to Orkney to build the Churchill Barriers (which we will see), amongst the prisoners in camp 60 was an artist Domenico Chiocchetti, he was given the task of transforming two Nissen huts, with the help of other prisoners, into a chapel, their work can be seen here today as a lasting reminder of peace and hope. The Orkney's are rich with Neolithic sites across the islands, continue our journey to the highlight, Skara Brae. Built over 5000 years ago, this pre-historic village pre-dates Stonehenge and even the Egyptian Pyramids. The site the best-preserved Neolithic settlement in Western Europe and was uncovered by a storm in 1850, today follow the path that overlooks the ancient buildings, imagining what life was like for the farmers, hunters and fishermen who lived here. Explore the nine surviving Neolithic houses, all but one of which can be viewed from the path. View original 'fitted' furniture made 5,000 years ago, see artefacts including gaming dice, tools and jewellery on display in the visitor centre and take in the stunning variety of local birdlife and wildflowers, a truly remarkable place. Visit Skaill House overlooking the spectacular Bay of Skaill

Saturday
Following a leisurely start, meet the coach at 10.30hrs as we travel the short distance to visit the North Coast Visitor Centre in the former Thurso Town Hall, discover centuries of Caithness history, wander the art gallery of sit and relax in the café with time to explore and obtain lunch. Following our visit retrace our steps to continue our journey to John O'Groates, explore the village, watch out for wildlife and enjoy the jaw-dropping scenery at this iconic location before returning to the hotel.

Sunday
Check out of our hotel following breakfast to bid farewell to our hosts. Journey along the coast on the NC500 through the historic county of Sutherland via Durness and Rhiconich, enjoy magnificent wilderness scenery of heather-covered moorland, lochs, dramatic mountains, pristine white sand beaches and wild, rugged coastline with breath-taking stops at viewpoints along the way, arriving at the Caledonian Hotel, in the small seaside town of Ullapool on Scotland's North West Coast, our home for the next 2 nights.

Monday
Today is our driver day off. Enjoy relaxing at the hotel and exploring Ullapool. With many cafes, restaurants, chippy for local fish and chips, craft shops and galleries as well as the beach, and working harbour there is plenty to keep you occupied. Perhaps book a wildlife watching cruise offering regular sightings of dolphins, Minke whales, seals and sea eagles or visit the Ullapool Museum to discover the history of Loch Broom and its early settlers.

Tuesday
Check out of our hotel following breakfast to begin our journey South, journey along the banks of Loch Ness via Fort William and breath-taking Glencoe with a suitable lunch stop enroute. Arrive at our final overnight hotel